[WEB4LIB] Re: Access2002 vs. SQL .. which way do we go?

[cruby]

I have been following this discussion as we have two web pages, one that
shows all of our library holdings and one that lists just our electronic
publications, that are both maintained via Access 2000.  We recently have
added some new electronic publications and some licenses have changed so
access is restricted to just our main site.  I had someone in our IS
department design the Access database and resulting pages for us.  Now when
I ask her if there is a way to highlight the new titles (even just putting a
graphic that says new) and emphasizing a title is limited to one site, she
tells me that it can't be done.  According to her this Access database
(which uses ASP to get the info to our web pages) is strictly text and that
means black and white text only and no images and no changes in font or font
sizes.  If this is true, would we be better off going back to our old hard
coding method?  Or would SQL take care of this problem?  We are talking
about 150 so journals and 30 or so electronic publications.  The electronic
publications are available from a variety of vendors so relying on a vendor
product isn't an option.

I am going to talk to the person in Software Support and Training who
specializes in Access but thought I would check with all of you to see if we
have other options.  At this point buying special software is not an option
but we do have Access, SQL, etc. available to us.  I may even be able to get
a different programmer to help if I can give enough justification.

Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Carolyn

Carolyn Ruby-Weilage
Micron Technology
MS 552
P.O. Box 6
8000 S. Federal Way
Boise, ID 83707
cruby at micron.com (e-mail)
208-368-4257 (voice)
208-368-3393 (fax)


-----Original Message-----
From: Douglas Joubert [mailto:djoubert at mail.mcg.edu]
Sent: Thursday, December 05, 2002 10:21 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Re: Access2002 vs. SQL .. which way do we go?


Vicki,

I can only echo what Dan and Jeff stated earlier and maybe you need to
clarify with your consultant what you are actually looking to accomplish.
Specifically that SQL is a language, and more specifically it is the "glue"
that hold togther Access queries. Vicki I do not know how familiar you are
with MS Access but if you did not know, you can view the SQL statements of
your queries in Design View in Access.

Like Jeff when I have worked out problems like yours I have used the a
script to connect to the MS Database, but only if my DB was or a manageable
size. I must admit (purist cover your ears) I do all my scripting within
Dreaweaver MX. Not having a strong tech background I like that fact that you
can do ASP Server (DNS) scripts via a pop up menu.

Concerning the SQL portion of you question, so do you think the consultant
might have been suggesting MySQL, which unlike SQL is product. I like MySQL
also, and you cannot also connect to MySQL via Access---> File---> Get
External Data---> Import. As illustrated by the recent comments everyone has
their own preferences about what type of application server is best. My
experience has been that I found MySQL a little more difficult to set up but
for larger sets of data I prefer it over MS Access.

I hope my 0.00025 cents helps

Cheers

DJJ


Douglas Joubert, MLIS
Cataloging and Digital Information Librarian
Greenblatt Library AB-247
Medical College of Georgia
Augusta, GA 30912-4400

>>> Vicki Falkland <rch.library at wch.org.au> 12/04/02 08:50PM >>>
dear all,

our library is planning to convert our static HTML journals list into a
dynamic list. i am a total newbie when it comes to dynamic websites and
databases. i do follow threads posted here on this topic, and have searched
the Archives, but i need to ask something about different methods please ...

CURRENTLY: our journal titles are all contained in an Access(2000) database
(by a colleague), which we use to print hard copy lists and reports, but
the web version is hand-coded (by me). therefore, we are maintaining two
lists. 

THE ORIGINAL PLAN: with help from our organisation's webmaster (for a fee;
our webmaster charges for his time and expertise), we would move the info
from the Access database into SQL, which i presume would mean we'd have to
learn SQL to maintain it. we would also have a web-based admin page set up
so that either of us could edit the (single) list as necessary.

THE PROPOSED NEW PLAN: my colleague has now suggested that Access2002 is
miraculous and will do everything we want without having to bother with
SQL, or the webmaster, or the webmaster's fee (although of course there
would be the cost of upgrading Access). the claim is that Access2002 is
more "flexible" than SQL, and that it will be easier for us to maintain.

i'm nervous .... and not convinced that Access2002 is the answer.
can anyone give me reasons (in simple terms please!) why i'm wrong to think
this proposed new plan is a Bad Idea ? 

i'm willing to BE convinced, but i need to hear it from someone far more
experienced and knowledgable on this topic than myself OR my esteemed
colleague :)

thanks,
vicki





Library Information Technology Support Officer

===============================================
Women's and Children's Health
J.W. Grieve Library
Royal Children's Hospital
Flemington Rd, Parkville, Vic, 3052
Ph: (03) 9345 7010
Fax: (03) 9347 8421
Email: rch.library at wch.org.au 
Internet: www.wch.org.au/library 
================================================